Father running to raise money in memory of Iraq tragedy son

A worker at Shropshire-based wine merchants Tanners whose son was kidnapped and executed in Iraq is preparing to run the London Marathon this weekend in his memory.

Alec Maclachlan was killed in the war-torn country following a lengthy abduction. The 30-year-old was working as a security guard when he was abducted along with four other Britons by Shi'ite militants in a raid on Iraq's finance ministry in 2007.

His body was handed over to British authorities in 2009.

Now, Alec's father Colin Maclachlan, who is business development manager for Tanners Wines in the Mid Wales area, is preparing for the gruelling 26.2 mile event this weekend to ensure his son's memory lives on.

He is raising cash for ABF The Soldiers' Charity, a national organisation which supports soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need.

Colin, who is in his 60s, was due to be joined by his other son Ross, 34, but the soldier has been called out at short notice to serve in Afghanistan.

"I have done a few half marathons before but never a full marathon," said Colin.

"I am doing this because Alec had his best times in the Army. He had served in Iraq and wanted to go back and rebuild the country. The very people he was trying to help are the ones who killed him which I find so sad."

Tanners, which has its head office in Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, will be showing its support for Colin by selling cooking wine at just £1 per bottle at its cellars shop in the town.

Colin hopes to raise at least £2,000 for the charity, which for the last two years has seen a 30 per cent rise in people seeking its help and expects this to increase with the continuing operations in Afghanistan.

Major General Sir Evelyn Webb Carter, chief executive of ABF The Soldiers' Charity, said: "The London Marathon is the biggest race in our charity calendar and it is incredibly moving that supporters like Colin, despite such personal tragedy want to help bring in more support from the public for our troops.

"The money raised will help The Soldiers' Charity to do what it does best — be there for soldiers, for life."

For more information about the charity visit soldierscharity.org or call 0845 034 7966.

By Russell Roberts